Page 46 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

W hen I planned this, I knew there was only one place where I wanted to do it. Dropping my phone to the floor, I glance at Tommy’s smiling face and smile back. My conscience is clear for the first time in a long time. “I said I would see you soon, and I meant it.”

“Lally,” Leo whispers from the darkness.

Turning, I meet his eyes. “Go. They’ll be here soon, and they won’t hesitate to kill you. Leo, it’s okay. You did more than you had to.”

While I was working Risk, he was tracking payments and messages. He found out who was behind all of this by putting together the evidence I provided from my camera and phone. Without him, I couldn’t have done this.

“I never should have helped them in the first place,” he admits. “That’s why I helped—not because you demanded it, but because you were right. We did this. I needed to end it.”

“You did,” I assure him. “Make sure the clips keep spreading. The public needs you now. I’ll keep them here.” He hesitates, and I smile. “Go, it’s okay.”

Nodding, he slips down the corridor, and I climb to my feet and face the front doors of the art building. For a moment, it reminds me of that night as bright lights flash over the glass. It’s almost poetic that I’ll die in the same place where I should have the night Tommy did.

I’ve been living a half-life since then. Part of me died here with him, so if this is my last stand, then I’m glad it’s here, where he took his last breath for someone he loved.

I just hope I made him proud and saved her and all the rest.

I know Alice will never forgive me, and that’s okay, but I had to do something.

We captured tons of footage from the gun game and onwards.

Leo and I spent all day compiling it then cornering the winner and using his bank.

We put together as much evidence as we could, and then we waited and put this strategy into place. This was always the plan.

The public needed to see me in the game to believe the footage was real. They needed to see the harsh truth of it so it doesn’t get buried or labeled as fake news. There is so much carnage and horror flooding devices nowadays that we needed to stand out.

My phone vibrates, and I pick it up.

Evan: We are coming. Just hold on.

He will be too late, but I type a quick reply.

Lally: Don’t. Take care of her for me. I love you all.

My phone goes black, and the Risk logo flashes as tears fill my eyes. I sniff them back with a bitter laugh as my face shows on the screen.

“Laila Stewart, you broke the rules,” the mechanical voice states. “Please await your punishment.”

“I’m fucking waiting. Come and get me,” I tell it as I toss it to the ground and face the door. Blue lights fill the area, and it isn’t long before the door bursts open and police storm the corridor, but I just eye them as they advance on me.

“Ms. Stewart, come with us. We’ll keep you safe,” one of them calls.

“How did you know I was here?” I ask them, and they share a look. “How is Senator Kellen? Did you get a nice paycheck from him to keep this quiet? How many bodies have you buried for him?”

“Come with us now. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” one cop demands, and I meet his angry eyes.

“Let me guess, wranglers, right? Makes sense with the guns. Who better to govern the games than police officers?” I scoff.

One approaches me, and I tilt my head back to hold his gaze as he stops before me, the flashing blue lights highlighting his cruel expression.

“I’ve wanted to do this since you talked back to me in that manor.

” He slams his gun into my face, and I fall with a cry as he catches me.

He and another officer start to drag me outside, and that’s when I fight.

“No, do it here!” I order. “Kill me here. Let me die with him!”

“You’ll die how we say you’ll die. He’ll probably hang you in front of everyone you love and make an example of you.

He can wipe away your little stunt tonight.

You achieved nothing except signing your own death warrant,” the one on my left sneers as they drag me to the police cars.

The lights are off now so they don’t draw unwanted attention.

The campus is quiet, and no one knows where I am. I planned it this way so no one else would get hurt. I would never let them risk themselves for this. It was my choice and mine alone. I know this will destroy Evan and Alice, but I hope they understand why.

I’m hauled closer to the cars, and I know that once I’m inside one, I will never come back out. I just hope Alice doesn’t find my body. That would kill her.

“Hey, assholes!” comes a familiar voice, and the police freeze. When I lift my head and see Alice, everything in me turns to ice from my horror.

She’s dripping wet and so fucking beautiful it hurts. “Don’t you fucking dare lay a hand on my girlfriend,” she shouts.

The officers around us share a look. “Miss, we are taking Ms. Stewart to safety after her announcement,” one cajoles.

“Liar,” Alice scoffs. She holds up her phone and aims it at us.

“This is live streaming as well. I have your badges and names. For everyone watching, these police officers have injured Lally Stewart and are trying to take her somewhere without an arrest warrant or her consent. Are you part of Risk? Whose orders are you acting under?”

It’s obvious they don’t know what to do, so I take my shot. I slam my knee into the one on the right’s dick, then I slip free of the officer on the left and slam my fist into his face as I stumble back.

“Get both of them,” one hisses.

Backing up, I throw my arms wide, protecting Alice as they withdraw their guns and aim them at us. Rain soaks me as I stare down their barrels.

“Not her!” I yell. “I’m the one you want. Aim them at me.”

“Lally!” Alice screams behind me, and I glance back with a smile on my lips, happy to see her even if it’s like this.

“I love you,” I tell her as they move closer.

“Stop!” another voice yells, and I turn around as Leo steps from behind a tree, his phone out and light on. “I’m live streaming this too.”

“And me!” More people appear, running across the campus to get to us.

“Are you going to kill all of us and cover it up? There are too many of us!” someone yells as I gape at the growing crowd, recognizing faces.

They are people who competed in Risk.

“Lals.” A hand fists the back of my shirt and drags me into the crowd as the police look around, hesitating.

“How?” I whisper to those around me.

“Leo was live streaming it all, so we came to help.”

Just as easy as the crowd turned on us in the game, they turn on the police now, protecting me. A surge of righteous anger and safety radiates around me.

Alice shows me her phone, and I see it’s streaming all over the world. Just then, lights flood the campus, and I glance up to see a news helicopter above us. It blinds me for a moment, and I cover my face before dropping my arm and looking at the select number of cops.

“Let’s get out of here,” one mutters, and they pile into their cars and speed away. The crowd cheers, celebrating around us, but I turn to Alice.

Her face is dripping wet, and I wipe the water away as I gaze down at her. “What were you thinking?” I ask.

“I was thinking that I love you and I can’t live without you. You promised you would be a coward.” She sniffles. “You lied.”

“I’m sorry.” I bite back my tears as she stares up at me. “I had to do this. I couldn’t put you in harm’s way.”

“I know. Look around, Lally. You’re a hero. Tommy would be so proud of you. I know I am.” She leans up and kisses me as the rain continues to fall and more blue lights flood the area. “But if you ever do that again, I’ll kill you myself, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper as we lunge for each other, holding each other as more police than I’ve ever seen secure the area.

This time, they are on our side.

Someone yanks me, and I turn to see Bones, Skylar, Evan, and Alek. They are all wet and out of breath. “Lally.” Evan wraps his arms around me, and my tears fall harder as I hold him. When we pull apart, Alek drags me into a hug, along with his sister.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Skylar says. “Team Gay would be boring without you.”

“Me too.” I laugh, and when Alek pulls back, I swear I see him discreetly wipe his eyes.

“We are moving to the middle of nowhere, and I’m locking everyone up so no one can get hurt anymore,” he mutters as he looks at us. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I know.” I take Alice’s hand, smiling at her. “Senator Kellen won’t let this go. He might come for me.”

“Let him. You have a family right here that’s willing to protect you,” Alek snaps, and Evan nods.

“He won’t touch either of you,” he promises.

“I know people.” Skylar shrugs casually.

“I can get us off murder charges,” Bones adds.

I grin, and as I watch my chosen family, I finally break down, crying so hard I fall, but they are there to catch me.

I was so fucking scared, but I should have known better.

They would never let me face anything alone.

That’s what family does. They come for you even when it’s hard or not convenient.

They love you when you can’t love yourself.

They protect you and stand with you, and as they hold me, I know I will never take that for granted again.